European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Thursday that the prolonged political crisis can only further weaken Lebanon which cannot afford to wait for the region to solve its problems before it addresses this issue.

“On 25 May 2016 Lebanon enters its third year without a President. The sovereignty, stability, territorial integrity and independence of Lebanon are important for the European Union. Lebanon remains an example of freedom, diversity and tolerance for the region, but the prolonged political crisis can only further weaken the country and its institutions in facing its many challenges. Lebanon cannot afford to wait for the region to solve its problems before it addresses this issue,” said Mogherini.

Al-Mustaqbal movement chief ex-PM Saad Hariri stressed on Thursday that his party has never sought to monopolize power as claimed by Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in his latest speech, and urged him to give ear to the “silent Shiite majority” that opposes his interventions in Syria and Yemen.

“If the Mustaqbal movement was seeking monopolization to dominate authority, it wouldn't have approved a hybrid proportional draft law with the Lebanese Forces and the Democratic Gathering bloc at the parliament,” said Hariri via Twitter.

Democratic Gathering bloc leader MP Walid Jumblat stated on Thursday that Iran is obstructing the election of a Lebanese president, blaming it for the two-year vacuum at the post, An Nahar daily reported.

“Obstructions hampering the elections of a head of state are Iranian,” said Jumblat in an interview to the daily.

Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah stressed Wednesday that the famous “army-people-resistance equation” will remain “a source of strength for the country,” as he criticized rival political parties who are not in favor of an electoral law based on the proportional representation system.

Al-Mustaqbal movement condemned Tuesday the killing of a member of the al-Hujeiri family in the Bekaa earlier in the day, urging the government and the political and religious leaders to “intervene to foil strife.”

The body of Hussein Mohammed al-Hujeiri, who was kidnapped Tuesday, was found in a cemetery in the eastern city of Baalbek, the National News Agency reported.

Unknown assailants kidnapped al-Hujeiri Tuesday morning from the city of Baalbek and took him to an unknown destination, NNA said.

Army Commander Maj Gen. Jean Qahwaji renewed on Tuesday the army’s pledge to carry on its efforts and unearth the fate of the soldiers that are held captive by the Islamic State group, the state-run National News Agency reported.

“On the 16th anniversary of Resistance and Liberation Day, I hereby renew the army’s commitment to uncover the fate of their fellow soldiers kidnapped by the terrorist groups,” said Qahwaji in his Order of the Day.

Preparations for Lebanon’s final round of municipal elections, set to take place Sunday, have started to take shape, as various influential political parties started forming joint lists, mainly in Tripoli, Batroun, Akkar and al-Koura, An Nahar daily reported on Tuesday.

In Tripoli, a major alliance between al-Mustaqbal Movement, ex-PM Najib Miqati, and the major local powers in the city face several electoral lists, namely those backed by resigned Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi.

General Security chief Major Gen. Abbas Ibrahim said on Tuesday that he "cannot be certain" that Lebanon will maintain a stable security situation, taking into consideration the inflamed developments in the region, al-Joumhouria daily reported.

“If there hadn’t been constant threats, I wouldn’t have visited Washington where I held several meetings with security officials,” said Ibrahim in an interview with the daily.

The Lebanese Communist Party declared Monday that it managed to achieve “remarkable results” in the municipal and mayoral elections that took place Sunday in the South and Nabatieh, after its candidates were able to win against the powerful Hizbullah-AMAL Movement alliance in several towns.

“The preliminary results of the polls that were held in the South and Nabatieh governorates have showed that the party has managed to achieve remarkable results,” the LCP said in a statement.